Stacks Goudkamp have been engaged by the “Group of 235 Detainees” at the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre to commence action into alleged violations of human rights and international crimes.
Today, lead counsel, Jay Williams and instructing solicitor Ruth Hudson from Stacks Goudkamp filed an urgent application to have five eyewitnesses to the alleged murder of Reza Beratti returned to Australia and placed into protective custody.
The eyewitnesses claim they have received death threats and that the Australian and PNG governments cannot ensure their safety after the identity of one of the eyewitnesses was posted on the front page of the National Newspaper PNG.
The “Group of 235” also seek a writ of habeas corpus alleging the Australian and PNG governments have committed gross human rights violations and high international crimes, constituting “crimes against humanity”. In particular, the “Group of 235 Detainees” make the following claims.
1. The detainees claim they were forcibly deported in violation of Article 7 – Crimes Against Humanity – of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
2. The detainees claim they are arbitrarily and indefinitely detained for five or more years.
3. The detainees claim there are detained in torturous, inhuman and degrading conditions, including exposure to murder, attempted murder, threats to kill, threats of cannibalism, grievous bodily harm, serious assault and battery as well as other gross humanitarian violations.
4. The detainees claim they are detained without access to legal representation, judicial review or a fair hearing.
5. The detainees claim that the Australian Government is acting extraterritorially in PNG and has effective control over the detainees in joint or several responsibility with the government of PNG.
The “Group of 235 Detainees” claim they have suffered serious and profound harm as a result of the alleged malfeasance by the Australian and PNG governments and are seeking reparations.
“In addition to the orders being sought from the High Court in these applications, we are of the view that there is an urgent need for an Inquiry or a Royal Commission in relation to the arrangements, events and conditions on Manus Island Regional Processing Centre,” said Ruth Hudson, Solicitor for the “Group of 235 Detainees”.
“In our view, such an Inquiry could and should be headed by Former Justice of the High Court Michael Kirby, as he recently did in relation to North Korea.”
For further information please contact Ruth Hudson on 0410 228 992.
Stacks/Goudkamp
Level 12, 39 Martin Place, Sydney
02 9237 2222